This, Too, Will Pass

In chapter 8 of 'A New Earth', Eckhart Tolle writes a thought provoking story about the discovery of inner space.

"According to an ancient Sufi story, there lived a king in some Middle Eastern land who was continuously torn between happiness and despondency. The slightest thing would cause him great upset or provoke an intense reaction, and his happiness would quickly turn into disappointment and despair. A time came when the king finally got tired of himself and of life, and he began to seek a way out. He sent for a wise man who lived in his kingdom and who was reputed to be enlightened. When the wise man came, the king said to him, ‘I want to be like you. Can you give me something that will bring balance, serenity, and wisdom into my life? I will pay any price you ask.’

The wise man said, ‘I may be able to help you. But the price is so great that your entire kingdom would not be sufficient payment for it. Therefore it will be a gift to you if you will honour it.’ The king gave his assurances, and the wise man left.

Be at peace

A few weeks later, he returned and handed the king an ornate box carved in jade. The king opened the box and found a simple gold ring inside. Some letters were inscribed on the ring. The inscription read: This, too, will pass. ‘What is the meaning of this?’ asked the king. The wise man said, ‘Wear this ring always. Whatever happens, before you call it good or bad, touch this ring and read the inscription. That way, you will always be at peace.’

This, too, will pass. What is it about these simple words that makes them so powerful? Looking at it superficially, it would seem while those words may provide some comfort in a bad situation, they would also diminish the enjoyment of the good things in life. ‘Don’t be too happy, because it won’t last.’ This seems to be what they are saying when applied in a situation that is perceived as good.

The full import of these words becomes clear when we consider them in the context of two other stories. The story of a Zen master whose response is always ‘Is that so?’ shows the good that comes through inner nonresistance to events, that is to say, being at one with what happens. The story of a man whose comment is invariably a laconic ‘Maybe’ illustrates the wisdom of nonjudgment, and the story of the ring points to the fact of impermanence which, when recognized, leads to nonattachment. Nonresistance, nonjudgment, and nonattachment are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living."

Link